From a shuttle, Spock (Zachary Quinto) is lowered into the heart of a volcano. His mission is to stop the imminent eruption and save all life on a very distant Class M planet. Suddenly an earthquake, smoke rattles their craft and snaps the cable lowering Spock. Although the suit can protect him from heat, falling directly into the burning lava is certain death.

Spock (Zachary Quinto) is trapped in a volcano about to erupt. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Captain Kirk (Chris Pine): We need to beam Spock back to this ship we have one way to do it. Chekov (Anton Yelchin): Maybe if we had a direct line of sight. Scotty (Simon Pegg): You’re talking about an active volcano sir… I can’t guarantee we can stand the heat. Spock: Our shuttle was concealed by the ash cloud but the enterprise is too large. Utilized in the rescue effort it would be revealed to the indigenous species. Kirk: Spock no one knows the rules more than you but there has got to be an exception. Spock: Such action violates the prime directive. Bones: Shut up Spock! We’re trying to save you damn it! Spock: the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Kirk: We’re talking about your life! Spock: The rule cannot be broken. Chekov: 90 seconds before detonation. Kirk:(whispers to himself) Spock if you were the one here what would you do? Bones (Karl Urban): He’d let you die.

Spock (Zachary Quinto) is trapped in a volcano about to erupt. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

They only have 9 seconds before cold fusion bomb goes off inside the volcano. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Spock (Zachary Quinto) is trapped in a volcano about to erupt. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

The Enterprise is about to go into warp speed. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China

If there was one film that should be seen in 3D Star Trek Into Darkness should be it. While space travel is unaffordable and travelling faster than the speed of light is still impossible, watching it in 3D is the next best thing. For this you cannot settle on cinemas pretending to give 3D. You have to go to the real thing at Newport Cinemas in Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall with its new EAST Wing, which will also have new cinemas. Make sure to hold on, every time Kirk asks Scotty to go into warp you’re travelling faster than the speed of light.

The Enterprise leaves a trail of light in warp speed. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

One of the main distinctions from Star Wars franchise is that Star Trek is based more on science fiction theory. Two of the most successful science fiction franchises are often compared. While Star Wars is from a galaxy far away, Star Trek is based on the future of our planet, humanity if and when we DO get our acts together and develop intergalactic travel etc. What would happen then politically, what would our relationship be with other alien races etc ? Creator Gene Roddenberry created a fascinating universe with charismatic characters, that to this day captures audiences.

from right: Kirk (Chris Pine) and Bones (Karl Urban) run from indigenous tribe in the class M planet of Nibiru. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

In the action sequence mentioned above, Spock mentions the prime directive. In the Star Trek definition (from Wikipedia): “Starfleet’s General Order number 1, is the most prominent guiding principle of the United Federation of Planets. The Prime Directive dictates that there can be no interference with the internal development of alien civilizations. It has special implications, however, for civilizations that have not yet developed the technology for interstellar spaceflight (“pre-warp”), since no primitive culture can be given or exposed to any information regarding advanced technology or the existence of extraplanetary civilizations, lest this exposure alter the natural development of the civilization.”

Indigenous people stop their pursuit of Kirk and Bones. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

On current TV shows, the theory of earlier cultures being exposed to alien technology is on ANCIENT ALIENS series on History channel. Nearly all ancient cultures through out history from the Egyptians, Indians, Babylonians and even Jewish texts mention people or god-like creatures on air born crafts as a matter of fact.

The History channel also aired HAWKING (in Asia), which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Hawking. Cumberbatch plays the genetically engineered villain Kahn in this movie. Incidentally, when (the real) Stephen Hawking guest starred on the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV episode “Descent”, he was taken on a guided tour of the set. Pausing in front of the warp core set piece, he remarked, “I’m working on that.”

Cumberbatch is more known as the modern version of the most famous detective in “Sherlock” TV series and is also part of The Hobbit films as The Necromancer. Even when talking to Kirk (Chris Pine) Cumberbatch seems to be ‘talking down’ to him, very similar in the way he rattles off facts to Watson. Peter Weller cast as Admiral Marcus is also very much familiar to sci-fi fans as ROBOCOP.

When Kirk asks for Thrusters he gets thrusters unlike the TV series from the 60’s where the exterior of the Enterprise is generally left to the imagination. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

With both recent Star Trek films there’s more of the 23rd century to be designed and seen compared with older versions. Star trek has benefitted from improved CGI. When Kirk says he needs thrusters, we actually see thrusters coming out of the Enterprise trying to stay in position fighting off the Earth’s gravitational pull.

Communicator looks like a filptop cell phone except it has a range through light years of distance. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Intergalactic communication is possible with Scotty holding what looks like a cell phone (literally unli calls and unli distance). As opposed to Kirk just tapping their insignias on their uniform to communicate in past versions. An exciting fight scene ensues between Spock and Kahn on a flying car going through the city. The Vulcan Pinch figures prominently in this scene.

Fight scene on top of a flying car. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Another unforgettable scene is when Kirk and Kahn try to get on another ship USS Vengeance old school, without the benefit of the transporter room. They jettison themselves in suits and have a latch open in other ship. They fly through space filled with debris that can not only block their way but kill them. Smaller particles hit Kirk’s faceplate, endangering him through the process.

from left: Kirk (Chris Pine) and Kahn (Benedict Cumberbatch) get ready to fly through space debris to get to the USS Vengeance. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

While it’s easy to just enjoy the action and effects, there are quite a few political statements. There’s a strong reference to 911 near the end of the film. They chose to have the terrorists not from an outside force but from someone within. Science, politics, war, the military they all come together. Star Trek is more than just fiction, but what could be. Just like the ancients exposed to technology, we shape our own future with what we see and think of today.

The chief sees the Enterprise come out of the waters and fly off. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Chief draws shape of the Enterprise on soil. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

Leonard Nimoy makes an appearance from the future as young Spock (Zachary Quinto) contacts him through time. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.

San Francisco Sky line in the year 2259. Catch Star Trek Into Darkness in Newport Cinemas-Resort’s World Manila, EASTWOOD City Mall, Lucky China Town Mall and Shang Rila Plaza mall.